List of shipwrecks of California

This is a list of shipwrecks located in Californian waters.

Del Norte County

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Brother Jonathan United States July 30, 1865 A paddle steamer that ran aground off Crescent City.
Emidio United States December 20, 1941 A tanker that was sunk by I-17 off Crescent City. 41°45′1.96″N 124°11′47.95″W / 41.7505444°N 124.1966528°W / 41.7505444; -124.1966528 (SS Emidio)

Humboldt County

Main article: List of shipwrecks of Humboldt County, California

Los Angeles County

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Ada Hancock United States April 27, 1863 A steam-powered tender suffered a boiler explosion in Los Angeles Harbor killing 26 of her 53 passengers. A common urban legend states that onboard was $125,000 in gold, transported by a Wells Fargo messenger, which was never recovered.[1]
Ace I April 29, 1948 A barge that foundered in a storm and was scuttled as a hazard to navigation off San Pedro, Los Angeles.
Avalon United States September 16, 1964 A passenger ship that foundered under tow off Palos Verdes. 33°43′34″N 118°21′14″W / 33.726°N 118.354°W / 33.726; -118.354 (SS Avalon (1891))
USS Burrfish  United States Navy November 19, 1969 A Balao-class submarine that was sunk as a target off San Clemente Island.
Charles F. Crocker 1929 A barquentine that was run aground and dismasted for a movie off Santa Catalina Island, sometime around 1929. The wreck was later burned, and then moved further inland by a tidal bore.
Dauntless October 3, 1928 A schooner that was blown up for the movie The Rescue off Catalina Harbor, Santa Catalina Island.
Diosa del Mar United States July 30, 1990 A wooden schooner that ran aground on Ship Rock at Santa Catalina Island. 33°27′46″N 118°29′31″W / 33.462770°N 118.491925°W / 33.462770; -118.491925 (Diosa del Mar)
Dominator United States March 13, 1961 A cargo ship that ran aground on Rocky Point, Palos Verdes. 33°46′26″N 118°25′42″W / 33.77389°N 118.42833°W / 33.77389; -118.42833 (SS Dominator)
F.S. Loop 1947 A barge that sank near Angel's Gate and was blown up as a hazard to navigation.
Georgia February 22, 1966 A barge that was scuttled off Redondo Beach.
Georgia Straits A tug that sank under tow off Los Angeles.
USS Gregory  United States Navy March 4, 1971 A Fletcher-class destroyer that was bombed as a target off San Clemente Island.
Johanna Smith United States July 22, 1932 A schooner that caught fire and sank off Long Beach.
USS John C. Butler  United States Navy 1971 A John C. Butler-class destroyer escort that was sunk as a target off San Clemente.
USS Koka  United States Navy December 7, 1937 A Bagaduce-class fleet tug that ran aground off San Clemente Island.
Margaret C. A schooner that was blown up for a movie in Catalina Harbor, Santa Catalina Island, in about 1926.
Monfalcone August 31, 1930 A gambling ship that caught fire and sank off Long Beach.
USS Moody  United States Navy February 21, 1933 A Clemson-class destroyer that was blown up in San Pedro Bay for the MGM movie Hell Below.
USS Moray  United States Navy June 18, 1970 A Balao-class submarine that was sunk as a target off San Clemente. 33°25′30″N 117°37′44″W / 33.425°N 117.629°W / 33.425; -117.629 (USS Moray (SS-300))
USS Naifeh  United States Navy July 11, 1966 A John C. Butler-class destroyer escort that was sunk as a target off San Clemente Island.
Ningpo 1938 A Chinese junk that was beached then burned at Santa Catalina Island.
Olympic II September 4, 1940 A barge that collided with the Japanese freighter Sakito Maru off San Pedro. The wreck was blown up as a hazard to navigation.
Palmyra A schooner that was beached and burned off Santa Catalina Island, around 1938.
Princess Louise June 20, 1990 A cruise ship, later converted into a floating restaurant, that sank under tow about 16 nautical miles (30 km) southwest of Point Fermin, while en route to Catalina to be sunk as an artificial reef.
Sacramento December 2, 1968 A barge and ferry that foundered off Redondo Beach.
Sansinena Liberia December 17, 1976 An oil tanker that exploded at the Port of Los Angeles. 33°42′52″N 118°16′29″W / 33.71444°N 118.27472°W / 33.71444; -118.27472 (SS Sansinena)
S.N. Castle February 17, 1926 A barquentine that was burned and sunk in Catalina Harbor at Santa Catalina Island, for the movie Old Ironsides.
SueJac November 14, 1980 A schooner that ran aground on Casino Point, Santa Catalina Island.
USS Stribling  United States Navy January 1937 A Wickes-class destroyer that was sunk as a target off San Pedro.
UB-88  United States Navy January 3, 1921 A Wickes-class destroyer that was sunk as a target off San Pedro.
USS Vammen  United States Navy February 18, 1971 Sunk by a Condor missile strike off San Clemente Island. Lat 118-33.0 N, Long 32-54.05 W

Marin County

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Labouchere United Kingdom April 14, 1866 A paddle steamer that ran aground off Point Reyes. 38°05′N 123°01′W / 38.083°N 123.017°W / 38.083; -123.017 (Labouchere (paddle steamer))
San Agustin Spain November 1595 A Manila galleon under the command of Sebastião Rodrigues Soromenho that was wrecked at anchor in Drakes Bay, the first shipwreck in California. 37°59′48″N 123°01′11″W / 37.99677°N 123.01984°W / 37.99677; -123.01984 (San Augustin)
Tennessee March 6, 1853 A passenger steamship that ran aground off Indian Cove, now renamed Tennessee Cove.

Mendocino County

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Il’mena Russia June 19, 1820 A Russian-American Company maritime fur trade brig that wrecked at Point Arena. All people and cargo was saved and taken to Bodega Bay and Fort Ross.
Frolic 1850 An opium-trading brig wrecked near Point Cabrillo Light in 1850. Frolic was the subject of a 2003 episode of Deep Sea Detectives.
Josephine Woolcot 1886 A schooner wrecked by a storm off Mendocino City. Ship broke in half mid ship into two sections – bow and two mast / transon and two mast, sank with fantail pointing northwest in large surf.
Sea Foam January 28, 1931 A schooner that was wrecked at Point Arena.

Orange County

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Charles Brown April 21, 1932 A barge that ran aground off Laguna Beach.
Elsie I October 17, 1951 A barge that capsized in a storm off Huntington Beach.
Foss 125 November 17, 1958 A barge that foundered in a storm off Laguna Beach.

San Diego County

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
USS Abercrombie  United States Navy January 7, 1968 A John C. Butler-class destroyer escort that was sunk as a target off San Diego.
USS Archer-Fish  United States Navy October 19, 1968 A Balao-class submarine that was sunk as a target off San Diego.
USS Aspro  United States Navy November 16, 1962 A Balao-class submarine that was sunk as a target off San Diego.
USS Atlanta  United States Navy October 1, 1970 A Cleveland-class light cruiser that was sunk as a target. 32°52′47″N 118°30′29″W / 32.8796°N 118.5081°W / 32.8796; -118.5081 (USS Atlanta)
USS Blackfin  United States Navy May 13, 1973 A Balao-class submarine that was sunk as a target off San Diego.
USS Champlin  United States Navy April 12, 1936 A Wickes-class destroyer that was sunk as a target off San Diego.
USS F-1  United States Navy December 17, 1917 An F-class submarine that was sunk in a collision off Point Loma.
USS Hogan  United States Navy November 8, 1945 A Wickes-class destroyer that was bombed as a target off San Diego.
USS Knight  United States Navy October 27, 1967 A Gleaves-class destroyer that was sunk as a target off San Diego.
USS Marcus  United States Navy June 25, 1935 A Clemson-class destroyer that was sunk as a target off San Diego.
Monte Carlo United States January 1, 1937 An oil tanker that drifted onto Coronado in a storm. 32°40′26″N 117°10′23″W / 32.674°N 117.173°W / 32.674; -117.173 (SS Monte Carlo)
USS PC-815  United States Navy September 11, 1945 A PC-461-class submarine chaser that was sunk in a collision with USS Laffey off San Diego. 32°37′54″N 117°14′12″W / 32.63167°N 117.23667°W / 32.63167; -117.23667 (USS PC-815)
USS S-37  United States Navy February 20, 1945 An S-class submarine that broke tow and sank off Imperial Beach.
USS Sabalo  United States Navy February 15, 1973 A Balao-class submarine that was sunk as a target off San Diego. 32°42′19″N 117°26′33″W / 32.7052°N 117.4424°W / 32.7052; -117.4424 (USS Sabalo (SS-302))
USS Sloat  United States Navy June 26, 1935 A Clemson-class destroyer that was sunk as a target off San Diego.
Valiant December 13, 1930 A yacht that caught fire and sank off Descanso Beach.
USS Williams  United States Navy June 29, 1968 A John C. Butler-class destroyer escort that sunk as a target off San Diego.
HMCS Yukon  Maritime Command July 2000 A Mackenzie-class destroyer that was scuttled off Mission Bay as an artificial reef. 32°46′18″N 117°16′16″W / 32.77154°N 117.27098°W / 32.77154; -117.27098 (HMCS Yukon (DDE 263))

San Francisco County

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
USS Benevolence  United States Navy April 25, 1950 A hospital ship that sunk in a collision with Mary Luckenbach.
USS Boston  United States Navy April 8, 1946 A protected cruiser that was scuttled off San Francisco. 37°44′28″N 122°34′59″W / 37.741°N 122.583°W / 37.741; -122.583 (USS Boston (1884))
USS Bunting  United States Navy June 3, 1942 A minesweeper that sank in a collision.
City of Chester United States August 22, 1888 A passenger ship that collided with RMS Oceanic in San Francisco Bay. 37°48′50″N 122°28′00″W / 37.81389°N 122.46667°W / 37.81389; -122.46667 (SS City of Chester)
City of Rio de Janeiro United States February 21, 1901 A steamship that struck a reef in San Francisco Bay.
USS Conestoga  United States Navy 1921 An ocean-going tug that was declared "lost at sea" on June 30, 1921. The wreck was discovered in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary in 2009, and formally identified as Conestoga in 2016.
USS Devilfish  United States Navy August 14, 1968 A Balao-class submarine that was sunk as a target off San Francisco. 37°5′N 124°8′W / 37.083°N 124.133°W / 37.083; -124.133 (USS Devilfish (SS-292))
Escambia United Kingdom June 19, 1882 A steamboat that capsized off San Francisco.
USS Hornbill  United States Navy June 30, 1942 A coastal minesweeper that collided with Esther Johnson in San Francisco Bay.
James Rolph United States August 2, 1910 A schooner that ran aground on rocks in San Pablo Bay. 37°35′00″N 122°31′03″W / 37.5834°N 122.5176°W / 37.5834; -122.5176 (James Rolph (ship))
King Philip United States 1878 A clipper that ran aground in heavy surf at Ocean Beach 37°45′5.48″N 122°30′35.29″W / 37.7515222°N 122.5098028°W / 37.7515222; -122.5098028 (King Philip shipwreck)
USS Lewis  United States Navy April 21, 1966 A John C. Butler-class destroyer escort that was sunk as a target.
Lydia 1907 A wrecked whaling ship located beneath King Street, San Francisco, that was discovered in 1980 during a sewer construction project. 37°46′51″N 122°23′18″W / 37.78083°N 122.38833°W / 37.78083; -122.38833 (Lydia (whaling bark))
Ohioan United States October 8, 1936 A cargo ship that ran aground near Seal Rock. 37°46′43″N 122°30′58″W / 37.77861°N 122.51611°W / 37.77861; -122.51611 (SS Ohioan (1914))
USS Pensacola  United States Navy May 1912 A steamboat that was burned and sunk by the Navy in San Francisco Bay near Hunter's Point.
San Rafael United States November 30, 1901 A steamboat that collided with Sausalito off Alcatraz Island.
USS Stewart  United States Navy May 24, 1946 A Clemson-class destroyer that was sunk as a target west of the Golden Gate. 37°44′56″N 122°43′44″W / 37.749°N 122.729°W / 37.749; -122.729 (USS Stewart (DD-224))
USS Tingey  United States Navy May 1966 A Fletcher-class destroyer that was sunk as a target off San Francisco.
Zenobia United States April 20, 1858 A full-rigged ship that struck a rock off Point Bonita.

San Luis Obispo County

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Montebello United States December 23, 1941 An oil tanker that was torpedoed by I-21 off Cayucos. 35°35′N 121°16′W / 35.583°N 121.267°W / 35.583; -121.267 (SS Montebello)

San Mateo County

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Carrier Pigeon United States June 6, 1853 A clipper that ran aground near Pigeon Point. "On the night of June 6, 1853, the clipper ship Carrier Pigeon ran aground 500 feet off shore of the central California coast. The area is now called Pigeon Point in her honor. The Carrier Pigeon was a state-of-the art, 19th Century clipper ship. She was 175 feet long with a narrow, 34 foot beam and rated at about 845 tons burden. Launched in the fall of 1852 from Bath, Maine, the Carrier Pigeon ... started out on her maiden voyage on January 28, 1853. Out of Boston and bound for San Francisco, the Carrier Pigeon was under the command of Captain Azariah Doane." (Pigeon Point History). There were no deaths in the sinking.
Sir John Franklin January 17, 1865 Clipper ship. The ship was headed for San Francisco and in heavy fog struck rocks off of the point, since then renamed Franklin Point. The ship was destroyed, killing the Captain and eleven men. The point is located in Ano Nuevo State Reserve. The seamen were buried there; the officers in San Francisco.
Point Arena 1913 A steam schooner. Pieces of the hull are on display at Pigeon Point Lighthouse.
San Juan August 29, 1929 A passenger steamer that was rammed by S. C. T. Dodd off Pigeon Point.[2] 37°11′N 122°25′W / 37.183°N 122.417°W / 37.183; -122.417 (San Juan)
USS Thompson  United States Navy February 1944 A Clemson-class destroyer that was sunk as a target in San Francisco Bay. 37°33′10″N 122°09′27″W / 37.5529°N 122.1576°W / 37.5529; -122.1576 (USS Thompson (DD-305))

Santa Barbara County

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Aggie May 4, 1915 A barquentine that ran aground at Santa Rosa Island.
USS Chauncey  United States Navy September 8, 1923 One of seven United States Navy ships that ran aground off Lompoc in an incident known as the Honda Point Disaster. 34°36′07″N 120°38′39″W / 34.602067°N 120.644109°W / 34.602067; -120.644109 (Honda Point Disaster)
Chickasaw United States February 7, 1962 A cargo ship that ran aground on Santa Rosa Island.
Crown of England November 7, 1894 A steamship that ran aground off Santa Rosa Island.
Cuba United States September 7, 1923 A German steamboat that was seized by the United States in 1917, and eventually ran aground off San Miguel Island, on the same day as the Honda Point Disaster.
USS Delphy  United States Navy September 8, 1923 One of seven United States Navy ships that ran aground off Lompoc in an incident known as the Honda Point Disaster. 34°36′07″N 120°38′39″W / 34.602067°N 120.644109°W / 34.602067; -120.644109 (Honda Point Disaster)
USS Fuller  United States Navy September 8, 1923 One of seven United States Navy ships that ran aground off Lompoc in an incident known as the Honda Point Disaster. 34°36′07″N 120°38′39″W / 34.602067°N 120.644109°W / 34.602067; -120.644109 (Honda Point Disaster)
Goldenhorn September 12, 1892 A barque that ran aground off Santa Rosa Island.
Humble SM-1 November 25, 1961 A drillship that foundered off Santa Barbara.
USS McCulloch  United States Navy June 13, 1917 A cutter that collided with Governor off Point Conception.
USS Nicholas  United States Navy September 8, 1923 One of seven United States Navy ships that ran aground off Lompoc in an incident known as the Honda Point Disaster. 34°36′07″N 120°38′39″W / 34.602067°N 120.644109°W / 34.602067; -120.644109 (Honda Point Disaster)
Santa Rosa United States July 8, 1911 A steamship that ran aground at Point Arguello.
Sibyl Marston January 12, 1909 A schooner that ran aground off Lompoc. 34°39′13″N 120°37′03″W / 34.653474°N 120.61747°W / 34.653474; -120.61747 (Sibyl Marston (ship))
USS S. P. Lee  United States Navy September 8, 1923 One of seven United States Navy ships that ran aground off Lompoc in an incident known as the Honda Point Disaster. 34°36′07″N 120°38′39″W / 34.602067°N 120.644109°W / 34.602067; -120.644109 (Honda Point Disaster)
Tokujomaru March 1815 Japanese vessel under Oguri Jukichi damaged off Japan and drifted across the Pacific. Survivors rescued by Forester near Point Conception.
USS Woodbury  United States Navy September 8, 1923 One of seven United States Navy ships that ran aground off Lompoc in an incident known as the Honda Point Disaster. 34°36′07″N 120°38′39″W / 34.602067°N 120.644109°W / 34.602067; -120.644109 (Honda Point Disaster)
Yankee Blade United States October 1, 1854 A steamboat that ran aground at Point Arguello. 34°34′37″N 120°38′50″W / 34.57694°N 120.64722°W / 34.57694; -120.64722 (Yankee Blade)
USS Young  United States Navy September 8, 1923 One of seven United States Navy ships that ran aground off Lompoc in an incident known as the Honda Point Disaster. 34°36′07″N 120°38′39″W / 34.602067°N 120.644109°W / 34.602067; -120.644109 (Honda Point Disaster)

Santa Cruz County

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Palo Alto United States 1929 A concrete ship sunk in shallow water at Seacliff State Beach as an entertainment venue, and now serves as an artificial reef. 36°58′11″N 121°54′48″W / 36.969592°N 121.913416°W / 36.969592; -121.913416 (SS Palo Alto)

Sonoma County

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Pomona United States March 17, 1908 A steamship that ran aground near Fort Ross Cove, Fort Ross.[3] 38°30′37″N 123°14′44″W / 38.510278°N 123.245556°W / 38.510278; -123.245556 (SS Pomona)

Ventura County

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
USS Agerholm  United States Navy July 18, 1982 A Gearing-class destroyer that was sunk as a target off San Nicolas Island. 32°45′N 119°32′W / 32.750°N 119.533°W / 32.750; -119.533 (USS Agerholm (DD-826))
USS Deperm  United States Navy September 22, 1982 A degaussing vessel, sunk as a target. 32°58′N 119°41′W / 32.967°N 119.683°W / 32.967; -119.683 (USS Deperm (ADG-10))
Equator July 2, 1949 A fishing vessel that ran aground off Anacapa Island.
La Jenelle United States April 13, 1970 A cruise ship that was grounded off Port Hueneme, California.
USS Makassar Strait  United States Navy April 1961 A Casablanca-class escort carrier that ran aground on San Nicolas Island.
USS Ulvert M. Moore  United States Navy July 13, 1966 A John C. Butler-class destroyer escort that was sunk as a target off San Nicolas Island.
Winfield Scott United States December 2, 1853 A paddle steamer that ran aground on Anacapa Island.

Citations

  1. ^ Numismatist, The California (May 17, 2011). "A Gold Coin Treasure in San Pedro Bay? - or - Just Another Tale of Wells Fargo?". CoinWeek. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  2. ^ "Shipwreck Database - San Juan". Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  3. ^ "S.S. Pomona Shipwreck Project". Indiana University. Retrieved July 1, 2012.

References

Further reading

  • Marx, Robert F. (1987). Shipwrecks in the Americas. New York: Dover. pp. 145–191. ISBN 0-486-25514-X.
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